Oregon commercial Dungeness crab season delayed

NEWPORT, Ore. — Oregon Fish and Wildlife officials say the commercial Dungeness crab season on the Oregon coast will be delayed through at least Dec. 15 to allow the crabs to fill with meat.

The ocean season normally opens Dec. 1 but officials said Friday the opening can be delayed to provide a better product to consumers. Last year’s season didn’t open until Dec. 31.

Testing showed some areas did not meet minimum pre-season criteria.

Department officials say fishery managers from Oregon, Washington and California met Friday and decided to delay the season opening from southwest Washington’s Klipsan Beach south to the Oregon-California border.

The recreational crab harvest in the ocean off Oregon will open as scheduled on Dec. 1.